Lillian Gates

If you grew up in the house with Lillian and Andrew Cleve Gates, you could be pretty sure you would do three things:  behave, go to church and eat delicious meals. Lillian made the best pound cakes and explained to her children that she made the pineapple cakes because “your daddy liked them.”   Her joy as a wife and mother was to please her family. She served her church with the same excellence. She often expressed her mantra of “I’m living to live again.”

Lillian Bernetha Wise, was born November 20, 1929.  She was the fourth of six children born to the late Oscar and Kate Rivers Wise from the Sand Hills area of Lexington, SC. Her siblings, who all preceded her in death, were: Oscar Josephus (Grace) Wise; Margaret (Heyward) Black;  Kate Serena (Oscar) Jones all of Tampa Florida.   Richard (Betty) Wise of San Diego, CA; and Annie Mae (Joseph) Gates of Lexington.  Her first grandchild, Ronald’s daughter, Angel Kenyatta, sadly, preceded her in death.

Lillian   was educated at Lexington Rosenwald High school where she met and later married Andrew Cleve. She received Christ at an early age and joined New Bethel AME Church.  Eventually, she joined Spring Hill to worship with her husband and children.   At Spring Hill, she sang lead on the Senior Choir, she was a faithful member of the Women’s Club and the Lay Organization.  Lillian was Stewardess President, responsible for training the next generation.  Blessed with the gift of service, she ensured the communion Linens were spotless and wrinkle free. She wanted to teach the younger generation in the manner she was taught at New Bethel.  She modeled excellence in taking care of God’s house. (Colossians 3:23-24)  She served her community with lack dedication in American Legion Post 217.   Of course, her cakes were sought after. She was a great cook and enjoyed preparing and serving food at various functions throughout her life.

Lillian loved to travel.  She and her travel buddies, Mrs. Glover and Mrs. Johnson toured parts of the US and Canada by bus and airplane. She cruised and visited many Caribbean Islands with Sylvia and Kristen.

Cherishing her memories, celebrating her life and her victorious entry into God’s Kingdom are her husband of 75 years, Andrew Cleve Gates; one daughter, Sylvia of Irmo, SC, and two sons:  Ronald (Sheila) of Columbia SC and Clevelyn  (Devrow) of Irmo, SC; seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, a host  of loving nieces, nephews, cousins,  church family and friends who will miss her.

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